TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD KNOCKING COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AW…
2005 Nissan Xterra engine problems
moderate 193 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
193
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
MY 2005 XTERRA WITH 82K MILES STARTED VIBRATING BADLY WHEN ACCELERATING OVER 50MPH. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. I CALLED NISSAN ASSIST ON 12/29/2010 AND WAS TOLD MY RADIATOR HAD FAILED, LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TOTALLY DESTROYED IT. MY ONLY OPTION WAS A $4600 REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE NISSAN ASSIST GUY THEN TOLD ME THAT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE PROBL…
3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD SQUEAL FOR 5-10 MINUTES WHEN 1ST STARTING, IT DID NOT MATTER IF IT WAS IN THE MORNING OR MID-AFTERNOON. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THE DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 2,000 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND THIS TIME THE AUTO TENSION PULLEY WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 1,000 MILES LATER THE…
BEGINNING SUMMER 2010 2005 NISSAN XTERRA (PURCHASED NEW IN 2005) BEGAN MAKING RUMBLING NOISE (AS IF GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS) WHILE DRIVING. INCIDENT OCCURRED FREQUENTLY AT DIFFERING SPEEDS FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT AT THAT TIME. IN NOVEMBER 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING, BLOWING HOT AIR THROUGH AIR CONDITIONER, AND REGISTERING HOT ON …
VEHICLE FAILED DURING OPERATION WITHOUT WARNING SECONDARY TO FAULTY ORIGINAL RADIATOR WHICH LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR DESTROYED AND REQUIRE REPLACING. DESPITE EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION OF THIS PROBLEM ON CONSUMER WEBSITES AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, NISSAN AMERICA AND DEALERSHIP DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT ACCEPT ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILI…
COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ESTIMATE OF $5800 TO REPAIR. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Nissan Xterra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 193 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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